Dr. Ana Calderon-Randazzo, Dr. Lisagaye Robinson, Vanessa Lewis, Chuck Williams, Nadia Graham and Maria Pierson. (Photo credit: Jacqueline Marie Photography)
By Diana Hanford
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – More than 200 guests attended the Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) 13th Annual Ribbons for the Children Art Exhibit and Auction at Riva Residences on Friday, December 7.
The cocktail party and charity art auction featured original paintings, photographs, sculptures and jewelry donated by 63 talented artists and raised $35,000 through sales and donations.
The annual event commemorates World AIDS Day and raises funds to support CDTC’s Comprehensive Family AIDS Program (CFAP) which serves children and families infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. Thanks to the funds raised, CFAP is able to provide more than just medical care to patients, such as bus passes, bassinets & & cribs and emergency aid.
“We humbly thank the talented artists who donate their work to support CDTC’s mission,” said Chuck Williams co-chair of the event. “Each piece is a beautiful expression of the love and dedication they have for helping our families and the HIV community.”
CDTC established the Comprehensive Family AIDS Program in 1991, as the lead agency in Broward County for the Ryan White, Part D program to help an underserved and growing population of HIV positive women, infants, children and youth. Clients have access to a full array of onsite health care services for HIV including primary and specialty care, phlebotomy, gynecological screenings, nutrition, pediatric dental services, medication education, and counseling. In addition, medical case managers provide support and linkage to other crucial services. The Center is one of twelve local “Test & Treat” locations in Broward County.
CFAP’s support and services have had a profound impact on the lives of the patients they serve, often treating multiple generations of families. Thanks to high quality health care and dedicated support of their medical team, patients are achieving undetectable viral loads, reducing the likelihood of transmission. In addition, pregnant HIV positive women in the program have a 0% transmission rate and are giving birth to babies who are HIV negative – an amazing achievement.
This year’s Ribbons Art Exhibit & Auction was sponsored by MHG Insurance Brokers, Clear Health Alliance, Ira and Penny Vernon, Walgreens, Your Office, BankUnited, Chuck Nicholls & Mark Turner, Pierson Grant Public Relations, AP Williams, Jim & Judy Ambrose, Berger Commercial Realty, Juliette Lippman & Birnbaum, Lippman & Gre-goire PLLC, Peyton Bolin, Abarth Club Florida, Ambar Motors, Arts United, Corsa Club America, Jonathan & Lily Gonzalez, Hunters Nightclub, Il Toscano Ristorante, Let’s Get Social Miami, Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina and RIVA Residences Fort Lauderdale.
The Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) is a not-for-profit that serves more than 12,000 clients with special healthcare needs in Broward County annually. As a facility of Broward Health, CDTC’s mission is to promote the optimal health and well-being of children with special healthcare needs by providing comprehensive prevention, intervention and treatment services. CDTC was awarded Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and is a nationally recognized “Center of Excellence” offering a unique system of care for infants, children, youth and women with chronic illnesses, disabilities and developmental delays. For more information, visit ChildrensDiagnostic.org.
